I spent a couple of days making stencils to use on my Gelli Plate. I made them from photos and diagrams of DNA, chromosomes, DNA Barcoding, double helices, human karyotype, all to do with my latest art project: Below The Line. I then tried one out on one of the paste paint papers I made last week. And using my own paste paint. Hmmm. Not entirely successful.
I also made some more paste paint papers. To these I added spots and dots of Adirondack alcohol ink in various colours, diluting the inks with Adirondack Blending Solution.
Developing an art project is difficult, fraught with failure. I am learning to love the journey. It’s one alternative to madness.
To enjoy playing. Ignoring the feelings of guilt. (Where did THEY come from?) Get back to hell, negative voice! And stay there!
It just came to me, during the night, that this project is about mapping. What’s DNA Barcoding if it’s not mapping?
DNA and genetics are fascinating subjects. The human form is awe-inspiring, in the intricacy and the beauty of its structures.
And we occupy our minds inventing machines to blow ourselves and our beautiful and intricate brothers and sisters to smithereens.
Ann
Related articles
- On My Worktable Today (annisik51.wordpress.com)
- On My Worktable Today (annisik51.wordpress.com)
- Assessing DNA Barcoding as a Tool for Species Identification and Data Quality Control (plosone.org)
- Picture Perfect Stencil (rondapalazzari.typepad.com)
- DNA structure and Oligonucleotides (pharmaceuticalintelligence.com)
- Photos and Metal and Flowers… oh My! (marjiekemper.typepad.com)
- DIY Stenciled Pencil Skirt (she: Megan) (oneshetwoshe.com)
- Scientists successfully store data in DNA (earthsky.org)
- ‘Quadruple helix’ DNA discovered in human cells (sciencedaily.com)
- ‘Quadruple helix’ DNA discovered in human cells (phys.org)
‘Playing’ is so important. It took me ages to give myself permission. Keep up the good work
Thanks. Interesting you picked up on the ‘playing’ thing. I bet it’s an issue with many artists. You have to do ‘serious’ and ‘important’ art. It’s not ‘work’ otherwise. Hear the negative voice in there? Crafty devil! Thanks for your perception and support. Ann
If you still feel guilty call it ‘experimenting’ or ‘investigations’. However, ‘playing’ is much more freeing
Actually, having given it some thought, ‘playing’ is ‘research’. Now nobody feels guilty about ‘researching’!
Perfect
Next to NASA photos of newly discovered landscapes on Pluto, you surprise us with colourful prehistoric cave paintings. Very enjoyable!
I will ask you to write a review of my next exhibition!
I love the texture of these. Want to rub my hand over them. I’m currently trying to find a new style in journaling and recognize the struggle. With every page I’m like “nope, that’s not me”, “nope, that’s not it either”. I know it’s all part of the process, but I sometimes wish there was a shortcut.
Art is painful. There are no shortcuts and it’s taken me a long time to learn to enjoy the journey through the ugly, and the ‘don’t know what I’m doing’ stages! Thanks for visiting.